Reusable fire starter and method of use

ABSTRACT

A method of using a fire starter to light one or more ignitable elements of a fire includes providing a fire starter made of a calcium silicate hydrate adsorbed with an inflammable liquid; positioning the fire starter adjacent one or more ignitable elements; lighting the fire starter so that the inflammable liquid adsorbed in the fire starter burns without significantly affecting the integrity of the fire starter; lighting the one or more ignitable elements with the fire starter to start the fire; and repeating the above steps with the same fire starter to light one or more new, different ignitable elements for a new fire.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of fire starting devices andmethods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous devices and chemicals exist to assist one in starting a fire(e.g., fireplace fire, charcoal fire, campfire). Historically, kindlingand/or newspaper was used to start a fire. A company called Duraflame®sells a fire starter called firestart® that is used to assist one instarting a composite fire log or wood fire. Lighter fluid or fuel isdoused on charcoal briquettes and then lit to facilitate ignition of thecharcoal briquettes of a charcoal fire. A problem with all of thedevices and chemicals used in starting a fire is that none of them arere-usable. Consequently, these firestarting devices or chemicals areconsumed with the fire and no longer effective after a single use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an aspect of the invention involves a reusable fire starterand method that may be used multiple times to start a fire. After eachuse, the fire starter is simply placed in a container for storage untilthe next time it is needed to start a fire.

An additional aspect of the invention involves method of using a firestarter to light one or more ignitable elements of a fire. The methodincludes providing a fire starter made of a low-density xonotlitecalcium silicate hydrate; adding an inflammable liquid to the firestarter; positioning the fire starter under one or more ignitableelements; lighting the fire starter so that the inflammable liquid inthe fire starter burns without significant combustion of the firestarter; lighting the one or more ignitable elements with the firestarter; removing the fire starter after the fire is consumed; andreusing the fire starter to light one or more new, different ignitableelements for a new fire.

Another aspect of the invention involves a method of using a firestarter to light one or more ignitable elements of a fire includingproviding a fire starter made of a calcium silicate hydrate adsorbedwith an inflammable liquid; positioning the fire starter adjacent one ormore ignitable elements; lighting the fire starter so that theinflammable liquid adsorbed in the fire starter burns withoutsignificantly affecting the integrity of the fire starter; lighting theone or more ignitable elements with the fire starter to start the fire;and repeating the above steps with the same fire starter to light one ormore new, different ignitable elements for a new fire.

A further aspect of the invention involves a method of using a firestarter to light one or more ignitable elements of a fire including thesteps of providing a fire starter made of a material that maintains itsintegrity and does not break down at elevated temperatures of a fire,has low thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures of a fire, isnon-combustible, is highly absorbent, is environmentally friendly,drying restores its original properties, thermal efficiencies do notdeteriorate over time, has low thermal shrinkage, and has no bindersthat can break down at elevated temperatures of a fire; causing the firestarter to be adsorbed with an inflammable liquid; positioning the firestarter adjacent one or more ignitable elements; lighting the firestarter so that the inflammable liquid adsorbed in the fire starterburns without significantly affecting the integrity of the fire starter;lighting the one or more ignitable elements with the fire starter tostart the fire; and repeating the above steps with the same fire starterto light one or more new, different ignitable elements for a new fire.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in theart after a review of the drawings and the detailed description of thepreferred embodiments set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fire starter and acontainer that may be used to store the fire starter.

FIG. 2 is a simple side elevational view of the fire starter being usedwith a plurality of ignitable elements (e.g., charcoal briquettes, wood)to assist in starting a fire.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of using the fire starterof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of adding inflammableliquid to the fire starter or replenishing the fire starter withinflammable liquid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a fire starter 10 constructed in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention and an exemplary method of using thesame will now be described.

In the embodiment shown, the fire starter 10 has a generally rectangularblock configuration. The fire starter 10 is preferable made of calciumsilicate, and preferably low-density xonotlite calcium silicate hydrate.In alternative embodiments, other types of calcium silicates may be usedfor the fire starter 10, or other types of materials having theproperties and features similar to those described below may be used forthe fire starter 10.

The preferred type of low-density xonotlite calcium silicate hydrateused for the fire starter 10 is sold under the tradename INSULITE 1050by Insulite (Pty) Ltd of South Africa. The low-density xonotlite calciumsilicate hydrate is formed of intermeshed, evenly distributedneedle-like crystals. The formation of the crystals is achieved undercontrolled conditions by hydrothermal synthesis (autoclaving). The rawmaterials for the calcium silicate are blended, then the mixture ispoured into large molds, and then autoclaved in computer-controlledautoclaves. The density of the low-density xonotlite calcium silicatehydrate may range from 240 to 400 kg/m3, and is preferably about 265kg/m3. After de-molding, blocks of the low-density xonotlite calciumsilicate hydrate material are dried before being precision cut into thegenerally rectangular blocks of the fire starter 10.

The chemical analysis for the preferred low-density xonotlite calciumsilicate hydrate material used for the fire starter 10 is as follows:

-   -   SiO2 44% CaO 42%    -   TiO2 0.1% Na2O 0.1%    -   Al2O3 0.5% K2O 0.1%    -   Fe2O3 0.2% LOI (1050° C.) 10.5%    -   MgO 1.5%

The technical properties for the preferred low-density xonotlite calciumsilicate hydrate material used for the fire starter 10 are as follows:

-   -   Max Service Temperature 1050 (° C.)    -   Specific Heat 0.84 kJ (kg·K)    -   Bulk Density 265 dry kg/m3    -   Coefficient of reversible thermal expansion 4.0·10-6 (K-1) 20°        C.-750° C.    -   Linear Heat Shrinkage (max 1.8%) 1.1 12 hrs @ 1000° C.    -   Pyrometric cone equivalent 1400° C.    -   Compressive Strength 1.8 MPa    -   Modulus of Rupture 0.8 MPa    -   Total Porosity 90%    -   Thermal Conductivity (ASTM C-201 Supplemented by ASTM C-182)    -   0.07 W/(m·k) at 200° C.    -   0.09 W/(m·k) at 400° C.    -   0.11 W/(m·k) at 600° C.

Some of the features and benefits of the preferred low-density xonotlitecalcium silicate hydrate material used for the fire starter 10 includelow thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures, maintains integrityup to 1050 deg C., non-combustible (will not contribute smoke or flameduring fire), excellent creep resistance (dimensionally stable in allconditions), environmentally friendly (safe and non-irritating to skinor mucous membranes, contains no asbestos), insoluble in water (notdamaged when soaked and will not rot, drying restores originalproperties), can be waterproofed (prevents loss of thermal efficienciesdue to water absorption), thermal efficiencies do not deteriorate overtime (original design parameters are maintained), free of organicbinding resins (no smoke emission or gradual breakdown of thermalefficiencies), low heat storage (conserves energy when heating upequipment), low thermal shrinkage (dimensionally stable at hightemperatures), gas resistant (CO1, NH3, H2, N2 and CH4), unaffected byUV light (will not deteriorate in direct sunlight), low thermalconductivity, excellent heat resistance (withstands continuous heat upto 1050° C.), retains full integrity over time and at high temperatures,contains no binders that can break down at high temperatures or overtime ensuring optimal thermal performance throughout the lifespan offire starter 10, inert, non-degradable, non-combustible, non-toxic whenexposed to fire, does not cause skin irritation, sulphur free and lowiron content, and extremely low chloride content.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, and particularly to FIG. 3, an exemplarymethod 40 of using the fire starter 10 for lighting a fire 20 (e.g.,charcoal fire, fireplace fire, campfire) will now be described. At step50, the fire starter 10 is provided. This may include removing the firestarter 10 from a container 12 by first grabbing a container body 14 andremoving a cap 16 from the container body 14. The fire starter 10 may beremoved from the container body 14 using one's hands or by turning thecontainer body 14 upside-down, so the fire starter 10 is emptied outonto a surface. At step 60, an inflammable liquid (e.g., lighting fluid,camp fuel, citronella, kerosene) commonly used to start a fire is addedto the fire starter 10. The fire starter 10 absorbs the inflammableliquid during this step. As will be described in more detail below withrespect to FIG. 4, this step may include adding the inflammable liquidto the container 12, inserting the fire starter 10 into the container 12and the inflammable liquid so that the fire starter 10 absorbs theinflammable liquid. At step 70, which may be prior to step 60 or afterstep 60, the fire starter 10 is positioned under ignitable elements 30(e.g., charcoal briquettes, firewood, kindling). During this step, thefire starter 10 may first be positioned on a surface and the ignitableelements 30 may be added around or over the fire starter 10 whilekeeping the fire starter 10 exposed, or the fire starter 10 may insertedin between or underneath the ignitable elements 30. At step 80, theexposed part of the fire starter 10 is ignited with a match or lighter.This causes the absorbed lighter fluid in the fire starter 10 to burnuntil the lighter fluid is consumed, which is typically 5-15 minutes. Atstep 90, the flames from the fire starter 10 ignite and burn theignitable elements 30 of the fire 20. After the fire 20 is completed andthe ignitable elements 30 consumed and cooled, the fire starter 10 isremoved from the ashes and placed in the container 12. The fire starter10 is stored for re-use in the container 12 and when it is desired tolight another fire, the method 40 of using the fire starter 10 startsover at step 50.

With reference to FIG. 4, an exemplary method 60 of adding inflammableliquid to the fire starter 10 or replenishing the fire starter 10 withinflammable liquid will be described. First, at step 130, theinflammable liquid (e.g., lighting fluid, camp fuel, citronella,kerosene) is added to the container body 14. Preferably, the containerbody 14 is filled about ⅛ of its volume with the inflammable liquid.Next, at step 140, the fire starter 10 is inserted into the containerbody 14 and the inflammable liquid. The container body 14 may be cappedwith cap 16 during this step. During step 140, the inflammable liquid isabsorbed by the fire starter 10. Finally, at step 150, the fire starter10 is removed from the container 12 after the inflammable liquid isabsorbed by the fire starter 10. The fire starter 10 is now ready foruse to start a fire.

Because the fire starter 10 maintains its integrity and does not breakdown at elevated temperatures, has low thermal conductivity at elevatedtemperatures, is non-combustible, is highly absorbent, isenvironmentally friendly, drying restores original properties, thermalefficiencies do not deteriorate over time, has low thermal shrinkage,and has no binders that can break down at high temperatures or over timeensuring optimal thermal performance throughout the lifespan of firestarter 10, the fire starter 10 and method of use is ideal for startingalmost any type of fire, and is especially ideal for starting charcoalfires, fireplace fires, and campfires.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that stillfurther changes and modifications in the actual concepts describedherein can readily be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined by the following claims.

1. A method of using a fire starter to light one or more ignitableelements of a fire, comprising: providing a fire starter made of alow-density xonotlite calcium silicate hydrate; adding an inflammableliquid to the fire starter; positioning the fire starter under one ormore ignitable elements; lighting the fire starter so that theinflammable liquid in the fire starter burns without significantcombustion of the fire starter; lighting the one or more ignitableelements with the fire starter; removing the fire starter after the fireis consumed; reusing the fire starter to light one or more new,different ignitable elements for a new fire.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the one or more ignitable elements include at least one ofbriquette, charcoal briquette, composite fire log, and wood.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the inflammable liquid is at least one oflighting fluid, camp file, citronella, and kerosene.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the fire is at least one of a charcoal fire, afireplace fire, and a campfire.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thefire starter has a generally rectangular block configuration.
 6. Amethod of using a fire starter to light one or more ignitable elementsof a fire, comprising: providing a fire starter made of a calciumsilicate hydrate adsorbed with an inflammable liquid; positioning thefire starter adjacent one or more ignitable elements; lighting the firestarter so that the inflammable liquid adsorbed in the fire starterburns without significantly affecting the integrity of the fire starter;lighting the one or more ignitable elements with the fire starter tostart the fire; repeating the above steps with the same fire starter tolight one or more new, different ignitable elements for a new fire. 7.The method of claim 6, wherein the one or more ignitable elementsinclude at least one of briquette, charcoal briquette, composite firelog, and wood.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the inflammable liquidis at least one of lighting fluid, camp fuel, citronella, and kerosene.9. The method of claim 6, wherein the fire is at least one of a charcoalfire, a fireplace fire, and a campfire.
 10. The method of claim 6,wherein the fire starter has a generally rectangular blockconfiguration.
 11. A method of using a fire starter to light one or moreignitable elements of a fire, comprising: providing a fire starter madeof a material that maintains its integrity and does not break down atelevated temperatures of a fire, has low thermal conductivity atelevated temperatures of a fire, is non-combustible at elevatedtemperatures of a fire, and is highly absorbent; causing the firestarter to be adsorbed with an inflammable liquid; positioning the firestarter adjacent one or more ignitable elements; lighting the firestarter so that the inflammable liquid adsorbed in the fire starterburns without significantly affecting the integrity of the fire starter;lighting the one or more ignitable elements with the fire starter tostart the fire; repeating the above steps with the same fire starter tolight one or more new, different ignitable elements for a new fire. 12.The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more ignitable elementsinclude at least one of briquette, charcoal briquette, composite firelog, and wood.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the inflammableliquid is at least one of lighting fluid, camp fuel, citronella, andkerosene.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the fire is at least oneof a charcoal fire, a fireplace fire, and a campfire.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the fire starter has a generally rectangular blockconfiguration.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein causing the firestarter to be adsorbed with an inflammable liquid includes adding theinflammable liquid to a container with the fire starter outside of thecontainer, inserting the fire starter into the container with theinflammable liquid, and absorbing the inflammable liquid with the firestarter while in the container.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinafter adding the inflammable liquid to the container, the methodincludes closing the container with the fire starter and inflammableliquid therein, and allowing the fire starter to absorb the inflammableliquid in the closed container for a period of time.
 18. The method ofclaim 11, wherein causing the fire starter to be adsorbed with aninflammable liquid includes adding an inflammable liquid to a containerwith the fire starter inside of the container and absorbing theinflammable liquid with the fire starter while in the container.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein after adding the inflammable liquid to thecontainer, the method includes closing the container with the firestarter and inflammable liquid therein, and allowing the fire starter toabsorb the inflammable liquid in the closed container for a period oftime.